Despres To IR, Jeffrey Activated

Simon Despres #47 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his first NHL goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the game at Consol Energy Center on December 17, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — Penguins rookie defenseman Simon Despres was placed on injured reserve Wednesday because of an injury sustained in Tuesday’s loss to Ottawa.

Despres went low for a hit in the first period Tuesday and ended up crashing to the boards. He limped off the ice and never returned. The team classified him as having a lower-body injury.

There is no immediate word on Despres specific injury or how long he is expected to be out.

Forward Dustin Jeffrey was taken off injured reserve and played Wednesday against Washington, logging 13:26 of ice time. Paul Martin returned on the blue line, aiding the loss of Despres from the defensive corps.